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The Complete History of the adidas Predator

The adidas Predator is pretty much the most classic football boot of all time. adidas has churned out new and improved versions of their most perfect creation for midfield generals like David Beckham and Xavi since Craig Johnston’s idea initially came to fruition in 1994. The Pred consistently manages to reinvent itself in line with the needs and stylistic demands of current-day footballers. This is The Complete History of the adidas Predator.

The original Predator was revolutionary in the way it managed to blur the lines between form, function, and fashion. Football boots had been pretty straight forward until former Australian footballer Craig Johnston first translated his ideas on pure ball striking into the teeth that line top of the Predator’s toe-box. Product tests proved Johnston correct with players exhibiting significantly more power and swerve on strikes of the ball. Throw in the iconic three stripes and some red accents and a legend has been born.

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adidas Predator Rapier

Year: 1995Key Feature: Fold over tongue

The second iteration of the Predator displayed the signature stylistic element of the fold over tongue that remained with the line through 2009. This was also the first ever football boot to be released in multiple colors. The evolution continued with smoother, less pronounced teeth in the strike region and more kangaroo leather in the body of the boot.

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adidas Predator Touch

Year: 1996Key Feature: More surface coverage from fold over tongue

There is a difference between feeling and touching, but regardless the Touch definitely managed to turn up feel of the Predator line. The fold over tongue now stretched over the top of the laces with the lower half being completely covered by even smoother teeth. This was done in order to ensure a cleaner striking surface that still provided the same bite and resulting swerve on the football.

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adidas Predator Accelerator

Year: 1998Key Feature: Transparent outer sole

The 1998 World Cup in France brought with it a new, wavier version of the Pred dubbed the Accelerator. Zinidine Zidane rocked these on the way to winning the Cup in his home nation. The laces of the boot were moved to an asymmetric loop allowing for a wider, more pure striking surface on top of the shoe. The three stripes were altered to curve more and play off the new transparent red outer sole that was added to the bottom lining of the boot. The fin system on top of the toe box also continued to be lowered, being reduced to a grid like system to provide for more control.

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adidas Predator Precision

Year: 2000Key feature: Replaceable Traxion studs

adidas released the Precision in conjunction with Euro 2000. Replaceable Traxion studs were added so players could adjust their boots to certain pitch conditions. The fold over tongue now included Velcro to ensure increased stability. The fins, which originally protruded vertically from Craig Johnston’s prototype, were now sectioned off into pinpointed groupings of thin lines. A cool design element of the three stripes thinning out towards the back of the heel was also incorporated.

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adidas Predator Mania

Year: 2002Key Feature: Kangaroo leather and velcro

The Mania was released around the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea and designed with Far Eastern stylistic elements in mind. Gone was any sense of the teeth that the Predator was originally built around, replaced by straight up Kangaroo leather around the toe. The Velcro was also replaced by a string that would go around the sole of the shoe to keep the tongue positioned over the laces. A new structure was added for heel protection as well.

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adidas Predator Pulse

Year: 2004Key Feature: Power Pulse System

The Pulse implemented adidas Power Pulse System, which is basically a PowerPulse sock liner that shifts the boot’s center of gravity closer to striking impact. Colored accents were added adjacent to the lace loop as well as a ribbed type of midsole that saw the adidas three stripes wrap under the boot.

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adidas Predator Absolute

Year: 2006Key Feature: Changeable PowerPulse sockliners

The 2006 World Cup took place in Germany, the birthplace of adidas, and brought with it a new edition of the company’s most famous boot, the Predator Absolute. It came with changeable PowerPulse sockliners and infused ‘liquid elements’ into the design and structure of the boot for the first time. The gold and white version was created to celebrate the legendary career of one of adidas’ favored sons, Zinidine Zidane. Yes, that means these were the kicks that he was wearing when he head-butted that Italian dude and got tossed from the finals.

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adidas Predator PowerSwerve

Year: 2007Key Feature: Smartfoam

This was the first edition of the Predator series to incorporate the use of Smartfoam. The idea behind it was that the foam material allows for longer and therefore improved striking contact with the ball. AKA more bend and power. Fun fact: Zidane was working them long nights in the lab to get a payday, swerve (Big Sean voice), helping to develop the boot with the Adidas innovation team. Free-kick specialists like Davey Becks and Stevie Gerrard put his work to good use. The PowerSwerve was released in a staggering 20 different colorways.

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adidas Predator X

Year: 2009Key Feature: Powerspine technology

The X hit up the way back machine, incorporating the fundamental design elements from the first-ever Predator boot. Gone was the fold over tongue and back was the original styling of the three stripes along the side of the shoe. There was also the addition of Powerspine technology and a new upper made of Taurus leather. The rest of the boot was made up of a rubber silicon mix that further increased contact time on the ball.

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adidas AdiPower Predator

Year: 2011Key Feature: adiPower system

This version saw a shift in adidas focus from previous elements to their vaunted adiPower system, which kept the Powerspine technology but also divided the boot into two power zones comprised of 3D fins and silicon rubber Predator elements that worked to increase power and swerve respectfully. adidas also incorporated the Sprint Frame outsole of their lighter F50 line to give players a little more zip when making those runs up the middle of the park.

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adidas AdiPower Predator SL

Year: 2011Key Feature: SprintSkin

adidas went a little further with the speed element and released their lightest Predator ever. Just 211 grams, y’all. The upperskin of the boot shifted away from a reliance on leather and used the SprintSkin that can be seen on most speed range boots today.

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adidas Predator LZ

Year: 2012Key Feature: Lethal Zones

The latest edition of the Predator came out in May of last year and presents a stylistic and functional blend of the speed, power, and control elements situated at the heart of the Predator line throughout the years. The ‘LZ’ stands for Lethal Zone, which further expands on the zoning idea, breaking the boot up into five Lethal Zones related to ball control and striking. This is also the first Predator with a synthetic leather upper and incorporating the adidas miCoach system.

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adidas Predator LZ TRX FG

Year: 2013Key Feature: HybridTouch Upper

The adidas Predator LZ TRX FG is equipped for players seeking a speedy, lightweight cleat with a design geared towards ball control. Predator technology is utilized in five zones for precise control, helping to ensure accuracy. The synthetic HybridTouch upper construction of the adidas Predator LZ TRX FG is soft and lightweight, providing a comfortable on-field fit. Cushioned by a pre-molded EVA-sockliner, the adidas Predator LZ TRX FG also features an anti-slip EVA insert on the heel, ensuring the foot stays in place during the quickest of movements. Rounding out the model, a supportive SprintFrame chassis keeps the foot close to the ground, while the adidas Predator LZ TRX FG’s Traxion 2.0 stud configuration provides grip on firm, natural surfaces. Upgrade your game today with the control-centric adidas Predator LZ TRX FG for $220.

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adidas Predator Instinct

Year: 2014Key Feature: Lethal Zones

For 20 years, the Predator boot has evolved. For the Instinct, adidas has shifted the touch zones through insight from top level pros. Players were given white shoes and markers and asked to pinpoint the most crucial points of ball contact. What emerged is the "lethal zones" concept—5 zones on the upper including one for power, one for dribbling, one for passing, one for trapping (a welded gel pack), and one zone for passing and touch. The final addition is true extension of the concept: The push contact zones to the outsole of the cleat through Control frame, a soccer specific TPU that gives better control and traction off the cleats themselves around the forefoot.

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